Mollie and Roger Sitkin, Old Dog Ranch
Saturday, March 31, 2018, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm
Stop by the CUESA Classroom for a talk and tasting featuring the seasonal bounty of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and highlighting one of our market seller-farmers.
Located in the San Joaquin Valley, Old Dog Ranch has seen many transformations since Mollie’s great-great grandfather purchased the land in 1912. It was originally a sheep ranch, and Mollie’s father, Roger, started growing apples, blueberries, and annual crops when he took over. Apple trees gave way to walnut orchards, which thrive in the area’s deep, well-drained soil and low winter temperatures. A small portion of the land is farmed; 90% of the ranch is wildlife habitat. One of the Sitkins’ three walnut orchards is Certified Organic with another currently transitioning to organic. To diversify the farms’ offerings, Mollie launched the farm’s value-added product line, including seasoned walnuts and walnut butters. Mollie also planted specialty peppers to be used in seasoning the walnuts, and introduced five beehives that produce the honey used in the walnut butter.
All demos take place in the CUESA Classroom (under the white tents in front of the Ferry Building) and are free to the public, with recipes and samples for all.